Is China now the new military world power?

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The Chinese head of state and party leader Xi Jinping (69) enters the confrontation. At the end of the annual session of the National People’s Congress, he announced that the military would be expanded into a “Great Wall of Steel”. Defense spending will increase 7.2 percent to $210 billion.

But even if China continues to ramp up the buildup of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), it will be years before it can match other superarmies like the US military. China remains a distant second in defense spending behind the US, which invests $800 billion annually.

Simona A. Grano (44), a China expert at the University of Zurich, told Blick: “While the PLA has acquired a large number of modern ships, aircraft and weapons in recent years, it is far from being a modernized military force. “

This is recognized even by the leadership of the Communist Party, says Grano. “She talks about achieving military modernization by 2035 and a world-class military by 2050.” Outdated equipment is still used, with some of the technology dating back to the Soviet Union.

largest navy

In terms of troop strength, the PLA has now grown to become the largest military force in the world with over 965,000 active-duty soldiers. It surpasses the US with 486,000 active soldiers. In addition, the army has expanded its arsenal with high-tech weapons such as ICBMs and hypersonic missiles.

As the South China Sea develops into a problem area, China has already expanded its navy to become the largest in the world. With more than 2,500 aircraft and about 2,000 fighter jets, the Air Force is also the largest in the Asia-Pacific region and the third largest in the world.

According to the China expert, Beijing is mainly aiming for one goal with the modernization of the army: Taiwan, with which China wants to “peacefully reunite”. In addition, China is in border conflicts with other countries such as the Philippines, Vietnam and India.

Export also to emerging countries

China will manufacture much of its war material domestically. “The vast majority of equipment and technology purchased by the PLA is provided by nine state-owned companies and one state-owned research institute,” said Simona A. Grano. These industries increasingly exported to other emerging countries with the aim of “building warmer relations with friendly nations in regional competition”.

Although China is already the second largest arms producer in the world, it still has some catching up to do in the development of certain weapon systems. Grano: “If China succeeds in strengthening its defense industry, it can reduce its dependence on foreign technologies and establish itself as a world leader in advanced military capabilities.”

Too few soldiers

However, the Chinese military has struggled to overtake the US as a military superpower. One: the Chinese have no practical combat experience. The last time there was anything serious was when China fought Vietnam in 1979.

Another problem: Due to the demographic decline caused by the one-child policy, many families have only one son. Grano: «Many families may not be ready to sacrifice their only child to the nationalistic ambitions of the leadership. There is a risk of social instability.”

Source: Blick